Bio-lubricants could become more popular thanks to new Canadian facility

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The Oilseed Innovation Partners (OIP) group aims to create new opportunities for Canadian oilseeds and the Canadian bio-products sector. It looks like they did just that — in Ontario.

American manufacturer of vegetable-oil based lubricants, Renewable Lubricants Inc. (RLI), has picked the province to build its first wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary. The company creates everything from penetrant lubricant sprays, greases, chain oils, hydraulic fluids, and engine oils.

Many of the products they currently produce are made with oils from Canadian oilseed crops, such as canola.

“RLI is recognized as an undisputed leader in the North American bio-lubricant space and it is significant to have an American company decide to build a business here in Canada,” says Oilseeds Innovation Partners CEO Jeff Schmalz. “This is a milestone in the development of a national bio-lubricant industry in our country.”

According to a news release, it’s long-term goal for the Canadian industry is two-fold: building market demand by encouraging adoption of bio-based lubricants by a wide range of users looking to reduce the environmental risks, and developing local operations. The potential users they have identified include municipalities, conservation and urban forestry groups, arborist companies, utilities, transit, port authorities and airports.

“Due to lower toxicity to plants, insects and wildlife, bio-based lubricants significantly reduce the risk to the environment and they leave less of an impact on soil and water than their petroleum-based counterparts,” says Rob Roe, OIP’s director of bioproduct commercialization. “At the same time, due to technological advances, their performance is now equal to or better than conventional petroleum lubricant products.”

Renewable Lubricants Canada (RLC), is what RLI will call its Canadian division. The facility is expected to be operating before next fall and create 10 jobs.

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